Entertaining mix of old and new

by Eric Muehlbauer on 9/19/2006

Definitely enjoyed this CD...yes, some of it is non-traditional and very experimental/avant garde..exactly what one would expect from the likes of Dave Thomas. Still, plenty of traditional folk styles as you would expect from the Carthy's...lots of great performances, such as Lou Reed, Richard Thompson and his son Teddy, and much of the Wainright family...and Louden's version of Good Ship Venus is hysterically foul...beat's the Sex Pistol's version on Bambi. I would definitely recommend this album.
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Product Overview

Overseen by Hal Willner, and featuring a remarkably eclectic artist roster that includes Sting, Nick Cave, Bono, and David Thomas, this collection of ancient work songs from the days of sail is a treasure trove of undiscovered minor classics. Jarvis Cocker sings "A Drop of Nelson's Blood," while Bryan Ferry splices the mainbrace with a rendition of "The Cruel Ship's Captain," Loudon Wainwright III puts hairs on his chest singing some of the myriad stanzas of "The Good Ship Venus," and 1960s folk scene mover and shaker Bobby Neuwirth bends his back to the strains of "Haul in the Bowline."

Album Notes and Credits

Overseen by Hal Willner, and featuring a remarkably eclectic artist roster that includes Sting, Nick Cave, Bono, and David Thomas, this collection of ancient work songs from the days of sail is a treasure trove of undiscovered minor classics. Jarvis Cocker sings "A Drop of Nelson's Blood," while Bryan Ferry splices the mainbrace with a rendition of "The Cruel Ship's Captain," Loudon Wainwright III puts hairs on his chest singing some of the myriad stanzas of "The Good Ship Venus," and 1960s folk scene mover and shaker Bobby Neuwirth bends his back to the strains of "Haul in the Bowline."

Professional Reviews

Entertainment Weekly (p.86) - "[A] revelatory folk-song collection with the sea in the leading role....Covering way more emotional territory than the film that occasioned them." -- Grade: B